Basic drop shadow ?

David-Young wrote on 11/23/2021, 10:58 AM

I am testing out the Trial edition of Photostory Deluxe 2022. The interface sure does take some getting used to. I use Proshow Producer at this time, but as we are aware it is no longer in business. I was wondering if anyone can tell me a simple way of applying a drop shadow to a photograph. It is the most basic of effects in slideshow software, but I just can't seem to locate it. This could be a big point in my decision to start using this software. I'm sure it must be a simple solution, but im at a loss.

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 11/23/2021, 2:34 PM

@David-Young

Assuming that you mean a drop shadow of the rectangle the image, there are 2 methods

If you have it, the NewBlue Elements, Picture in shape effect which can create a drop shadow as shown below - in the is example the settings for the Picture in shape effect dialog are below.

or you can create the effect manually using a coloured rectangle as shown below

HTH

John EB
Forum Moderator

browj2 wrote on 11/23/2021, 8:10 PM

@johnebaker

Hi John EB,

Picture-in-Shape - does this come with PhotoStory 2022 or is it a plugin. I have PS2021VR and it is not in there, nor is it in MEP2022 Premium.

John CB

David-Young wrote on 11/23/2021, 8:17 PM

@johnebaker

Thank you. Both methods that you show do offer a solution. I was hoping that it was native to the main program and not through a plugin. The NewBlue plugin is on my computer for another program and shows up. The Hit Film plugin isn't included. In my past experience and in other video and/or picture slideshow software it is a matter of a check box from which point changes can be made. IMHO this is one of the most basic effects for slide shows and video programs where you have a picture layer on top of another one. Quite surprised that Magix needs a plugin to get the effect.

Thank you for your response

johnebaker wrote on 11/24/2021, 3:29 AM

@David-Young, @browj2

John - thanks for the heads up I have corrected my post - the Picture in shape effect is a NewBlue Elements effect, David has it.

David - the Hitfilm plugin was not used for the 'manual' method it just happened to be the last thing I tested. If you look at the timeline in the 3rd image I posted you will see it is composed of 3 elements - in track order top to bottom

background image
coloured rectangle image
an image

In the example the black rectangle (2), is the 'shadow' and is offset from the image (3) and its transparency is reduced to give it a hint of the background colour.

HTH

John EB